The National Football League (NFL) considers cannabis to be a banned substance. The fact that the NFL prohibits cannabis use, but allows the use of various other substances that are much more harmful, is hypocritical to say the least. The NFL needs to have more compassion for its players. With NFL players suffering from chronic pain, and often times brain injuries, it’s time that the NFL got on the right side of history.

As it stands right now, there are 25 states that allow medical cannabis use, and four states that have legalized adult-use cannabis laws. Washington D.C. has approved both medical and adult-use cannabis laws. The upcoming election could very well see more states added to the list. So why doesn’t the NFL recognize that cannabis is medicine, and a safer alternative to alcohol, and permit its use? How do players feel about the NFL’s ban on cannabis, and cannabis in society?

ESPN recently conducted a survey asking NFL players questions about cannabis. Below are some of the questions along with the results. As you can see, there is overwhelming support for cannabis reform among current NFL players. The ESPN survey involved 226 players, including players from both the AFC and NFC:

Should medical marijuana be legal in all states?

Yes 71 percent No 29 percent

Is it hard to beat the NFL’s testing system for recreational drugs?

Yes 33 percent No 67 percent

Have you ever used marijuana to help with concussion symptoms?

Yes 17 percent No 83 percent

Have you ever had a teammate who you think became an addict because of NFL painkiller abuse?

Yes 42 percent No 58 percent

What would you rather use if both were allowed by the NFL: Toradol** or marijuana?

Toradol 57 percent Marijuana 43 percent

Do you worry about the long-term effects of painkillers?

Yes 59 percent No 41 percent

If marijuana were an allowed substance, would fewer players take painkillers?

Yes 61 percent No 39 percent

Which is better for recovery and pain control: marijuana or painkillers?